Cindi Hunt's Page

HI Cindi-I know how you feel! I haven't been at this long enough, consistently, to get good, so I'm still a beginner, at least I play like one! I can manage to hold a beat, so I've been playing out with the same band for open mics for the past three months; they play once a month. It's been a great experience. Are your songs original? I'd love to get into a situation where everyone could create their own parts, though I'm very grateful for the cover band experience I'm getting. Take Care-Jessica G.

Cindi-that's a great question. Open mics are fairly free, in the sense that anyone is welcome to get up and perform with the band, or do their own songs. Their goal is to play with new musicians. I think it really depends on what your band's ultimate goal is. If it's to gig for money, I would try to get the songs as firmed up as possible. If free form is your forte, perhaps record your performances or rehearsals, find the best cuts that exemplify you as a group at your peak, and make some sort of demo. I'm not sure how much that would be, but you could shop it around to some perspective "bookers". I hope that helps. It sounds like you guys are much more serious about where you want to take this.

Hi Cindi! What have you and your band decided about performing? I'd love to hear you guys! I think I'm going to try Craig's list, too, but I'm in a fairly rural area, so I'm not sure I'll have much luck; my lack of experience and chops won't help either, but I'll try. I played open mic last night. I feel like I have to commiserate with someone. I was tired, so I didn't play my best, but I also realize that, while I'm keeping a solid beat, my playing isn't that exciting. I feel like I could do more to lift the song up, and realize, too, that I should be practicing more with the CD they gave me of a few of the songs they cover. I listen to the CD more than practice with it. I try to get the "essence" of the drum part. Thing is, when I practice with the CD, I feel like I need to slavishly copy the drums on the CD; in some cases it's really good, and I can do it or come close, but other times, I can't. Also,my cover group's rendition isn't always the same, and I don't rehearse with them, so it's still left to chance. Songs with strong drum parts need to be slowed or toned down.I'm okay with flying by the seat of my pants, but since I have the CD, I should be doing more. Sorry to be long-winded. Good luck to you.-Jessica G.

Hey Cindi-thanks so much for your words. I love what your instructor said about open mics-it's exactly the feeling I've had for the past few months, since I've felt the "expectations" for me to return, and especially now, since I've gotten the CD of the tunes they cover. I feel like my renditions have to be "awesome". They're lovely people and very open-minded, and the people who have come and sat in are just as shy as I am, but still, I feel pressure, and right now, I'm contemplating concentrating on rewriting that short story I wrote last year, and giving the drums a break! The fun is going away.Still, as you say, it's been my obsession, too. I keep trying to tell myself I don't totally "suck", that I'm a decent player, but just lack "tricks in my bag". I looked at Craig's list early this morning, and this time, didn't find anything in my area, but I'll keep looking. I also made signs to hang up in music stores and on message boards. I also loved the remark about "if you have to think about it, don't play it". Last night, I was tired, a bit nervous, and whatever little I practiced for certain songs just flew out the window! I just played what came to me, but I was too timid. Nevertheless, you and your bass player will probably love the open mic experience-you guys sound like you're pretty tight musically, and that will only bolster your confidence! Another question-what books do you work out of with your instructor? I've been going back and forth about how to go about practicing; I started out with certain books, but found them not very effective in terms of really adding to my playing in a workable way. I try to do rudiments each time I sit to play. Thanks again so much for your input. Here in the high desert of southern California, we have lovely weather, after last month's storm that dropped over two feet of snow on us. Best to you.-Jessica G.

Hey there Cindi-don't give up the writing! Drumming would make good fodder for material, you're right. Thanks for the recommendation on drum books. I've been vascillating between wanting to play songs, so that I could increase my repertoire of beats and fills,and feeling the need to go back to the basics. The books I ordered were jazz oriented because, like you, I love syncopation, and felt that if I developed some jazz chops, it would help my other stuff. I love funk, and when I sit down to warm up, that's what seems to come. Sue, a drummer on this site, recommended "Future Sounds" by Dave Giribaldi, the drummer from Tower of Power. I read some reviews; it seems to be geared toward intermediate, but I might order it just to sink my teeth into it (if it doesn't end up choking me!). Fast Forward sounds like fun. Your comment about YouTube is so true-I look at people who say they've been playing for a short time, and feel like I'm nowhere near. I think the truth is, they probably practice a lot more, are involved in school band or lessons, or some such thing. I'd like to think that, by following their example, I'll do better, and my beats and fills won't sound so amateur (my new cardinal rule-don't do any twiddly little rolls on the snare-play like you mean it!). I'd also like to think that drummers like you and I, and Laura, and some of the other later starters, are very gutsy. For a long time, I thought I was too old to do this and take it as seriously as I do. I felt almost "silly", but no more. I'm pretty retiring too, so drums have given me a "voice". I'm going to look for new books, and if I find any that look promising, I'll let you know. Your instructor is a wonder-really encouraging. I'm going to try to take his words to heart. Take care, and have lots of fun with your band!-Jessica G.

Hi Cindi! Thanks :-) Yes, I am the new drummer for Spellbox and Mysti Mayhem. I’ll keep you updated with other videos to come. All I know about the set upof the video is that it was made with three cameras (two of them were the ”flip” camera). And my band did the editing part. Keep drumming girl!! By the way you are also in NC yeah!!

Hi Cindi! The snow looked nice at the beginning, then it started to snow too much, that makes you worry because you can’t drive anywhere. We had like 7” of snow.
I found Mysti Mayhem/Spellbox through craigslist. And have found another band through the Weekly Independent too. It takes some time to find the right people with a good chemistry. Those 5 years were more of the learning process. I don’t have much band/stage/gig experience, so I am a rookie too. And I still take drum lessons!!
Cheers and stay warm.
Ana

Hi Cindi, I have been playing since high school which makes it about 35 years. I did take a break for about 15 years but got back into it several years ago. I started playing a kit but do have a great set of congas. I do other percussion too. Are you located near Raleigh? I am actually located between Raleigh and Wilmington. I am playing percussion for Jamie Anderson and an ALT/ Rock cover band but the rock band is having problems keeping singers and we seem to be stalling out. AM responding to so Craigslist musicians right now. I take lessons from a great guy in Raleigh when I need help. Thanks for your interest. Good luck with your drumming. Kimberly

Very cool, Keep it up and take lessons if you get the chance. Mine have helped me a lot. I work on rudiments a lot and that really helps. My instructor has instilled in me the dicipline to try and work at least 30 minutes a day to keep the muscle memory going. I think that is important. I am really a blues person too. Can't find anyone to stick with that though. Keep up the good work and let me know when you guys play out. I make it to Charlotte every now and then and will check you guys out! Berly

Cindi-has your band decided what to do about playing out? I went to the first rehearsal for my band (I guess I'm a member now, so I can say "my band") on Saturday. Flying sticks and fatigue aside, I actually felt pretty good about it; I found myself starting to loosen up with each song, until I was freely doing fills, and accenting and "commenting" on the other instruments' playing,something I was scared to do at open mic too much, for fear of losing the groove-if I had a groove to begin with! I'm hunkering down and trying to keep with practicing each day, something I haven't totally been doing. Hope all is well with you. There are so many NC drummers here, it's unreal. I love NC-I've got family in Greensboro, and haven't been there in 32 years. Wish I were there-it sounds like a very fertile place to be a musician. Take Care.-Jessica G.